Jelly Roll to speak at literacy summit at London's Oxford University — how to watch

USA Today

23-04-2025

Jelly Roll to speak at literacy summit at London's Oxford University — how to watch On April 8, 2025 at 8 a.m. CT, award-winning country performer Jelly Roll will deliver a keynote address at the World Literacy Summit at Oxford University's Sheldonian Theatre.
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Jelly Roll wins New Artist of the Year at CMA Awards
Jellyroll wins New Artist of the Year
One year after speaking on Capitol Hill and being named a State Department global music ambassador, Grammy-nominated 2025 Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year nominee Jelly Roll will showcase his aspirations as a worldwide pop star by delivering a keynote address at the World Literacy Summit at Oxford University's Sheldonian Theatre on Tuesday morning, April 8.
On Monday, the "I Am Not Okay" performer received the Global Literacy Award at the summit and was greeted by representatives from the World Bank, HarperCollins and Penguin Books after receiving the honor.
Tuesday's keynote will spotlight his dedication to empowering young people through education, including earning and receiving his GED while incarcerated, to working on a grassroots and more significant institutional level to encourage literacy and education, particularly for those impacted by the justice system.
How to watch
A free ticket for the 8 a.m. CT live stream event is available via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/world-literacy-summit-2025-streaming-day-2-tickets-1316010586089.
What is the World Literacy Summit?
Via its website, the World Literacy Foundation-borne World Literacy Summit is described as a "global gathering dedicated to tackling the global literacy crisis and improving education for all." Educators, policymakers, innovators, and advocates from over 85 countries attend the event to "collaborate on impactful solutions that promote literacy and learning worldwide."
The World Literacy Summit is an Initiative of the World Literacy Foundation. This global nonprofit organization ensures every young individual can acquire the literacy and reading skills to reach their full potential at school and beyond, regardless of geographic location.
Those attendees are described as "a diverse network of individuals and organizations committed to improving global literacy rates," including literacy advocates, teachers, researchers, government officials, nonprofit leaders, and corporate executives.
Insofar as event speakers for 2025, Jelly Roll joins Little Free Library CEO Greig Metzger, Luminos Fund CEO Caitlin Baron, and Worldreader CEO Rebecca Chandler and literacy advocate Rasheedat Sadiq as headlining the festivities.
Jelly Roll's expanding national, global profile
In Jan. 2024, Jelly Roll appeared in Washington, D.C., at Capitol Hill's Dirksen Senate Office Building, testifying in a hearing during an open, hybrid-format session of the United States Senate's Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs entitled, "Stopping the Flow of Fentanyl: Public Awareness and Legislative Solutions."
Jelly Roll was introduced by committee chairman Sherrod Brown (D - Ohio) as a "two-time Grammy nominee and CMT Awards-winner who sings about and advocates for those who are facing drug addiction [by speaking] with and for people struggling with addiction across the nation."
This followed ranking member Tim Scott (R - South Carolina) noted that Jelly Roll, alongside Urban and Yoes, would "share stories and support for legislative solutions [to stem fentanyl sales and abuse]."
"Fentanyl transcends partisanship and ideology," Jelly Roll asserted.
"I am not here to defend the use of illegal drugs," continued the performer, who noted the "unique paradox of his history as a drug dealer" who was "part of the problem" and now aims "to be a part of the solution."
Five months later, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and YouTube's Global Head of Music Lyor Cohen announced that Chuck D, Grace Bowers, BRELAND, Kane Brown, Herbie Hancock, Denyce Graves, Jelly Roll, Teddy Swims, Justin Tranter, Armani White, and Lainey Wilson will serve as U.S. Global Music Ambassadors in a Department of State-YouTube partnership aimed at "(elevating) music as a diplomatic platform to promote peace and democracy in support of the United States' broader foreign policy goals."
Via a press statement, Jelly Roll stated that being able to announce his first official international tour dates made partnering with YouTube and the U.S. State Department to be a Global Music Ambassador feel "especially meaningful."